Lior Ben Ari, Alexandra Lukash, and New Agencies
Ynet News, Dec. 1, 2024
“Al-Julani has drawn ideological distinctions between Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State, stating, “We reject the caliphate they declare and view it as illegitimate because it was established on invalid foundations.””
When discussing the Syrian “rebels” currently engaged in combat against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and its supporters, the reference is to a diverse array of groups with varying allegiances, many of which have evolved over the prolonged civil war. Among these, Jabhat al-Nusra, initially established during the early stages of the conflict as al-Qaida’s Syrian affiliate, played a prominent role in the fight against Assad. Over time, the group demonstrated its ability to control territory and later rebranded itself as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham in 2016, claiming to sever ties with al-Qaeda. In 2017, it merged with other factions to form Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), now a coalition of Sunni rebel groups.
On Saturday, the Syrian newspaper Al-Watan, citing “special sources” from Idlib, reported that “a central headquarters of Jabhat al-Nusra in Idlib was attacked, with indications that al-Julani was inside the building.” According to the report, the targeted site was heavily secured, with strict measures in place preventing civilians and even members of the organization from approaching. It remains unclear whether al-Julani was killed in the attack.
Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (loosely translated as “The Organization for the Liberation of the Levant”), known internationally by its acronym HTS, is currently the leading faction fighting against the Syrian regime and pro-Iranian militias. Exploiting the weaknesses of the Shiite-Iranian axis, HTS has rapidly expanded its territorial control, capturing numerous villages in the Idlib, Aleppo, and Hama regions in coordination with other opposition forces.
The current military commander of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, previously served as the Emir of Jabhat al-Nusra from 2012 to 2016. His real identity remains a subject of speculation, with some sources identifying him as Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa and others as Osama al-Wahdi. Reports about his life are contradictory, adding to his enigmatic reputation. …SOURCE